McLean, VA — The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Safety, Health and Survival (SHS) Section announced the release of the Elected Officials Guide to Firefighter Physicals, a new resource designed to help local, state, and federal elected leaders understand the importance of comprehensive medical evaluations for firefighters—and their role in ensuring firefighter health and wellness.
Firefighting is one of the most physically demanding and hazardous professions, with firefighters routinely exposed to extreme heat, toxic environments, and intense physical stress. Sudden cardiac events remain the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. Regular, standardized firefighter physicals are a proven tool to identify health risks early, reduce preventable injuries and fatalities, and ensure firefighters are medically fit to protect their communities.
The Elected Officials Guide to Firefighter Physicals explains:
- Why firefighter physicals are essential for operational readiness and public safety
- The components of a comprehensive, evidence-based firefighter medical evaluation
- How physicals help reduce long-term healthcare costs and line-of-duty deaths
- The role elected officials play in supporting firefighter health through policy and funding decisions
“This guide was developed to give elected officials clear, practical information about why firefighter physicals are not optional. They are a lifesaving investment,” said Ian Emmons, chair of the IAFC’s Safety, Health and Survival Section. “When firefighters are healthy and fit for duty, entire communities benefit through safer, more reliable emergency response.”
The guide also addresses common misconceptions about firefighter physicals, including cost concerns, and outlines how proactive health programs can lead to long-term savings by reducing workers’ compensation claims, disability retirements, and preventable medical emergencies.
By releasing this guide, the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section aims to strengthen collaboration between fire service leaders and policymakers, ensuring that decisions affecting firefighter health are informed by data, best practices, and the realities of the job.
The IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section developed this guide in collaboration with key partners across the fire service and research community, including the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Science to the Station, the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA), the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), the First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE), the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), and the National Development and Research Institutes (NDRI). Their collective expertise helped ensure this resource reflects the latest science, best practices, and real-world needs of the fire service.
